Re-done Valentine Decor Blocks

Remember when country decor was popular? People would have bonnets hanging on their walls with big raffia bows on them. I love my little country Valentine's Day block set, but it was looking outdated. I decided to give cupid a make-over.

You will need craft paint (or spray paint), paint primer, paint brush, glitter glue, ribbon or rhinestones or foam hearts, a Cricut machine for the letters or die cuts, and Modge Podge.

Below is my "before," so look through your old decor stuff before you toss it out.

Start by painting your blocks a more modern color, I chose a "Paris pink" and "holiday red." A primer will be necessary unless you want to do a million coats.

I used glitter glue to jazz up my cupid figurine. I also painted his bow.

Use a Cricut to cut out your letters. I used white paper, but looking back I think patterned paper would have been cuter. If you do not have a Cricut, you can buy pre-made letters at a craft store, or go to a scrapbook store and use their die cut machine.

Modge Podge your letters on the blocks, covering the entire face of the block. Add any little extra embellishments, i.e. rhinestones, foam hearts, ribbon, etc.

I don't think cupid is a girl, but she is now. I couldn't resist putting a cute little ribbon in her curly hair :)

Now, my block set is updated for years to come.

Save on Meat with Zaycon Foods

Since I am a Coupon Sense member, I received a tip from my representative about Zaycon Foods. They sell large bulk boxes of meat to select areas around the U.S. They had a special for boneless, skinless, chicken breasts at $1.49/pound. It is 100% fresh, never frozen, free of hormones, additives, or artificial ingredients. The chicken comes directly from the farm to the sales event site. You must buy increments of 40 pounds, which sounds like a lot, but it really is not if you separate it and lay it flat in your freezer. You pay online and then you have to go pick it up at the drop site. I was inpressed by the quality of the meat!

The trimming and packaging of the meat took a little longer than I thought, but to stock up my freezer was worth it! 40 pounds of meat is really not that much when you think about it how Costco sells those big 16 pound bags of chicken all the time, so people must go through them. I cannot wait for the beef special :)

Nautical Diaper Cake

"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for."

-Anonymous

I love baby showers for first-time moms. Everything is opened with wonder, smiles, and a great appreciation. I like to make diaper cakes since they are practical, useful, and decorative.

Below is a Nautical-themed diaper cake to match the nursery of the mom and baby it was made for.

You will need diapers (I like big sizes so they can enjoy it awhile before breaking the cake down), fabric: I chose burlap and a navy blue printed fabric to fit the theme, ribbon, fish netting, a bottle, a tray, and whatever toys, socks, binkies, or other goodies you want to attach.

Roll your diapers. I secure mine with clear plastic rubber bands.

Fold your fabric inside out in half. Sew the seem shut, or glue if you are not a sewer. Then sew the ends together to make a ring. Turn right out and iron.

The top ring of the cake should be smaller than the bottom ring. I did not sew the burlap to make it look rustic

Start stuffing your diapers in the rings.

Stack 'em up. Tie ribbon around the hole cake vertically to secure the layers together. Drape your netting over the top. Cover your bottle in fabric and tie with a bow. I put a small dab of hot glue to stick it to the top. Not too much or the diapers will be unusable.

Set the cake on your tray and tie on your toys

Valentine's Heart Bouquet

Oh how I love thee Valentine's Day, let me count the ways...

Valentine's is my favorite holiday! I don't know why, but it has always stuck out to me. I love PINK and all the hearts and of course chocolate. It reminds me of the love I have for my husband, and if you are not attached, it even makes me pause and think of how much I love my kids and all the good people in my life.

I created this heart bouquet that looks gorgeous on your front door, or you can place it on an entry table, or even in the bathroom along with your cute V-Day towels!

You will need hot glue, floral foam block, a basket with one handle (I got mine at Michael's), feather boa, ribbon and/or tulle, heart picks, and sparkly floral sprigs.

I love doing Valentine's crafts because Christmas items are marked down and you can find all of your red items you need, and even some pink supplies. The pink ribbon, red swirly sprigs, pink sparkle sprigs, and boa were all marked way down as Christmas items. I got the triple heart picks at Michael's for 99 cents each and the five packages of heart picks at the dollar store!

Glue your foam into the bottom of the basket

Start wrapping your boa around the basket, gluing along the way

Make your bow. I have a Bowdabra, but you can also see my previous Christmas wrapping post about how to make a bow. You basically set a piece of wire down and criss-cross the ribbon/tulle perpendicular over it. Then you tie it and fluff the bow.

Attach your bow to the front.

Start adding your picks, placing them at different depths and angles.

Keep adding until it is really full. Now you have a beautiful bouquet that required no flowers at all. If you are placing it on a table you can sprinkle confetti or another boa down in the basket to hide the floral foam.

I stuck a wooden heart in the back since I had it on hand, but that is optional.

Scrap Those Christmas Memories

Here are two semi-quick scrapbook layouts to preserve those Christmas memories.

To scrap Christmas day I found a really ornate piece of scrapbook paper and cut along the design vertically. Add the pieces you cut out next to it, but spaced away on top of another coordinating paper. I then used some rub-ons over the top of the paper (the white and black scroll looking design). Add some jewels, ribbon, and then a journal entry (not included here) and you are done.

Here is a page to display your Christmas card. I layered a patterned paper over another patterned white piece. The top portion consists of layered chip board with jewels added. Ribbons separate the two halves. I used the Cricut to write "FAMILY" on the bottom.

Happy New Year

Here is our newest creation from Kara at Deanworks (an etsy.com shop). She does such an amazing job! The design is $15. She has multiple to choose from. You just e-mail her the pictures you want and the design requested once you pay for the card through paypal on etsy.com/deanworks. She gets a proof to you right away. Then you can upload the picture to walmart.com or whatever photo site you use and voila, you have a custon designed card!

Gorgeous Gift Part 2

Here is another gorgeous gift to wrap for that special someone. I did the blue theme this time.

You will need a box, tape, scissors, wrapping paper, ribbon, wire, and picks or sparkley sprigs from your local craft store

Wrap your present and make your bow. Criss cross ribbon across piece of wire and secure.

Fluff to make a bow

Add you picks, sticking underneath the ribbon.